Proteome and transcript analysis of Vitis vinifera cell cultures subjected to Botrytis cinerea infection.

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is one of the most important diseases of grapevine resulting in significant reductions in yield and fruit quality. In order to examine the molecular mechanisms that characterize the interaction between B. cinerea and the host plant, the grapevine cytoplasmic proteome was analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The interaction between Vitis vinifera cv. Gamay cells and B. cinerea was characterized by the increase in spot abundance of 30 proteins, of which 21 were successfully identified. The majority of these proteins were related to defence and stress responses and to cell wall modifications. Some of the modulated proteins have been previously found to be affected by other pathogens when they infect V. vinifera but interestingly, the proteins related to cell wall modification that were influenced by B. cinerea have not been shown to be modulated by any other pathogen studied to date. Transcript analysis using the quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction additionally revealed the up-regulation of several acidic, probably extracellular, chitinases. The results indicate that cell wall strengthening, accumulation of PR proteins and excretion of lytic enzymes are likely to be important mechanisms in the defence of grapevine against B. cinerea. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is one of the most important diseases of grapevine, little information is available about proteomic changes in this pathosystem. These results suggest that cell wall strengthening, accumulation of PR proteins and excretion of lytic enzymes are important molecular mechanisms in the defence of grapevine against B. cinerea. Surprisingly, the proteins related to cell wall modification that were modulated by B. cinerea have not been shown to be affected by any other pathogen studied to date.

Immunoadsorption therapy and complement activation.

Complement activation was studied in six patients treated with immunoadsorption columns Ig-ADSOPAK for myasthenia gravis. Mean therapy duration was 18.6 months (range 4-28 months). Prior and after each procedure, concentrations of C3 and C4 were examined, hemolytic activity of complement by a classic pathway (CH50) was determined, as well as terminal complement complex (TCC). After each immunoadsorption procedure, a decrease of C3 and C4 was noted (median 21.19% and 19.68%, respectively). The CH50 and TCC follow-up showed statistically significant complement activation. Median of TCC accrual was 60.21% and median of CH50 decrease was 23.24%. No clinical manifestations of complement activation were present. With increasing number of procedures a marked decrease of TCC activation was observed in five patients, which was statistically significant in three of them (p < 0.05). This finding may indicate an immunomodulating effect of long-term adsorption therapy. With increasing number of procedures, an inhibition in complement system reactivity occurs. This result, however, has to be confirmed on a larger group of patients.

[Trabeculectomy--long term results]. / Trabekulektomie--dlouhodobé výsledky.

Goal of this paper was to analyze retrospectively and partially also prospectively the results of trabeculectomies (TE) performed at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital in Hradec Králové (Königgrätz), Czech Republic, EU, during the 1990-2000 period using the database program GLAUCOM Access 97. The authors did statistical analysis of 538 trabeculectomies performed as the first surgery for lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) on the followed eye without peroperative use of antimetabolites or cytostatics with follow up period 1-10 years. The baseline criteria for the evaluation were changes of the IOP, visual acuity, and pharmacological treatment after the operation. The average age at the time of the surgery was 61.28 +/- 14.58 years. Surgeries were performed by 11 surgeons. During the follow-up period the IOP lowering effect of the surgery was demonstrated by lowering the average IOP values from 28.42 +/- 8.98 mm Hg to 16.53 +/- 5.93 mm Hg. In the first half of the follow-up period a slight improvement of the visual acuity was noticed, in the second one the visual acuity decreased. Pre-operative average visual acuity was 0.59 +/- 0.34, and at the end of the follow-up period it was 0.59 +/- 0.33. The surgery in glaucoma patients effectively lowered the average number of prescribed antiglaucomatics after TE from 1.92 +/- 0.83 to 0.89 +/- 0.80 drugs. Our evaluations clearly showed trabeculectomy is even in the presence of existence non-perforating surgeries the basic and relatively easy-to-perform IOP lowering technique with broad variety of indications, and with relatively low number of complications.

[Computer program for antiglaucomatous surgeries analysis]. / Pocítacový program k analýze antiglaukomových operací.

Computer analysis of long-term results of the surgical treatment of glaucoma needs suitable program for database data download retrospectively and prospectively as well. We composed a universal database program Glaucoma Access 97 for patients' follow-up in glaucoma surgery centers. Data about 1073 antiglaucomatous filtering surgeries from the period 1990-2000 were downloaded. The program permits to download data about the patients before the surgery, details about the operation procedure, and from the follow-up visits into the database using special software questionnaire sheets. Outcome from the database may be data about long-term IOP compensation, visual acuity changes, and treatment after the surgery. Evaluation of the data allows to follow up the successfulness of the treatment of specified groups of patients and to compare results of surgeons and individual departments as well.

[A rare case of necrotizing fasciitis and subsequent sepsis with multiorgan failure caused by Vibrio vulnificus]. / Vzácný prípad nekrotizující fasciitidy a následné sepse s multiorgánovým selháním zpusobený agens Vibrio vulnificus.

The authors report a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis caused by a strain of Vibrio vulnificus rare in Czech Republic.

[Use of 5-fluorouracil in trabeculectomy]. / Pouzití 5-fluorouracilu u trabekulektomie.

The cytostatic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is used at present in the postoperative treatment of glaucoma. In 1993-6 we administered by the subconjunctival route at the Ophthalmological Clinic in Hradec Králové 5-FU to a group of 158 eyes after trabeculectomy (TE). The basic indication was ingrowth of the filtration vesicle or a rise of intraocular tension to 20 torr and more in 148 eyes. Preventively 5-FU was administered during operation during revisions of TE in 10 eyes. In the mentioned group with an unfavourable course of postoperative scar formation in the wound we achieved during the investigation period of two years after surgery normalization of the intraocular pressure to less than 16 torr without further treatment (we consider the value and condition without treatment as the optimal condition) in 37% of cases and in 81% less than 20 torr with treatment. Side-effects of administration of 5-FU (most frequently erosion of the corneal epithelium were transient. For the mentioned indications 5-FU appears, being a cytostatic where the dosage can be exact, sufficiently safe for administration and it exerts an optimal effect.

The distinction between beliefs legitimizing aggression and deviant processing of social cues: testing measurement validity and the hypothesis that biased processing mediates the effects of beliefs on aggression. Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group.

In 2 studies the authors examined knowledge and social information-processing mechanisms as 2 distinct sources of influence on child aggression. Data were collected from 387 boys and girls of diverse ethnicity in 3 successive years. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the discriminant validity of the knowledge construct of aggression beliefs and the processing constructs of hostile intent attributions, accessing of aggressive responses, and positive evaluation of aggressive outcomes. In Study 2, structural equation modeling analyses were used to test the mediation hypothesis that aggression beliefs would influence child aggression through the effects of deviant processing. A stronger belief that aggressive retaliation is acceptable predicted more deviant processing 1 year later and more aggression 2 years later. However, this latter effect was substantially accounted for by the intervening effects of deviant processing on aggression.

Motherhood during the teen years: a developmental perspective on risk factors for childbearing.

The role of peer relations in childhood and behavioral and family characteristics in early adolescence as risk factors for adolescent childbearing was investigated. Sociometric surveys across third, fourth, and fifth grade and parent and child measures of behavioral and family functioning at sixth and eighth grade were collected in a lower income, urban sample of 308 African American females. Results replicated earlier findings on the role of childhood aggression as a predictor of teen motherhood. In addition, girls who displayed stable patterns of childhood aggression were at significantly higher risk not only to have children as teenagers but to have more children and to have children at younger ages. Results also indicated that females who were depressed in midadolescence were at greater risk to become parents between age 15 and 19 years. These findings demonstrate the need to take a differentiated approach to understanding teen childbearing and varying developmental pathways in the prediction of teen motherhood.

Distorted perceptions in dyadic interactions of aggressive and nonaggressive boys: effects of prior expectations, context, and boys' age.

This study examined distorted self- and peer perceptions in aggressive and nonaggressive boys at preadolescent and early adolescent age levels. Subjects completed semantic differential ratings of themselves and of their peer partners following two brief dyadic discussion tasks with competitive inductions and a game-playing task with a cooperative induction. Subjects also rated their expectations for self- and peer behavior prior to the two competitive interaction tasks. Research assistants later rated videotapes of the interactions. Aggressive boys had more distorted perceptions of dyadic behavior as they overperceived aggression in their partners and underperceived their own aggressiveness. These distorted perceptions of aggression carried over for aggressive boys into the third interaction task with a cooperative induction, indicating these boys' difficulty in modulating these perceptions when the overt demand for conflict is no longer present in the situation. Results also indicated that aggressive boys' perceptions of their own behavior after the first interaction task is substantially affected by their prior expectations, in comparison to nonaggressive boys who rely more on their actual behavior to form their perceptions.

Comorbidity of conduct and depressive problems at sixth grade: substance use outcomes across adolescence.

The comorbidity of conduct and depressive problems and substance use outcomes were examined in a community-based sample of 340 African American males and females. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use were examined at Grades 6, 8, and 10 based on the following group membership at sixth grade: (a) comorbid conduct and depressive problems; (b) conduct problems only; (c) depressive problems only; (d) neither conduct nor depressive problems. Overall, the two conduct problem groups displayed the highest levels of substance use, although at some time points, comorbid youth displayed significant higher substance use levels. Subjects with depressive problems only displayed levels of substance use that were equivalent to subjects in the nonproblem group. Results highlight the importance of controlling for comorbid symptoms, possible interactive effects between conduct and depressive problems, and implications for treatment and prevention of substance use.

The moderating effects of children's fear and activity level on relations between parenting practices and childhood symptomatology.

Parenting practices have been previously linked to childhood symptomatology. However, little consideration has been given to the potential effect of individual differences within the child on this relation. The current study assessed the moderating effects of children's activity level and fear on relations between parenting practices and childhood aggression and depressive symptoms using a sample of 64 fourth-, and fifth-grade boys. The findings showed that poorly monitored active boys and fearful boys who were exposed to harsh discipline exhibited high levels of aggression. Boys characterized by high fear who were exposed to harsh discipline or whose parents were extremely overinvolved showed elevated levels of depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that integrating children's individual differences with parenting models enhances our understanding of the etiology of childhood symptomatology. The intervention implications of such an integration are discussed.

Reactive and proactive aggression in school children and psychiatrically impaired chronically assaultive youth.

The authors proposed that reactively aggressive and proactively aggressive types of antisocial youth would differ in developmental histories, concurrent adjustment, and social information-processing patterns. In Study 1, 585 boys and girls classified into groups called reactive aggressive, proactive aggressive, pervasively aggressive (combined type), and nonaggressive revealed distinct profiles. Only the reactive aggressive groups demonstrated histories of physical abuse and early onset of problems, adjustment problems in peer relations, and inadequate encoding and problem-solving processing patterns. Only the proactive aggressive groups demonstrated a processing pattern of anticipating positive outcomes for aggressing. In Study 2, 50 psychiatrically impaired chronically violent boys classified as reactively violent or proactively violent demonstrated differences in age of onset of problem behavior, adjustment problems, and processing problems.

Screening of child behavior problems for prevention programs at school entry. The Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group.

Targeted programs designed to prevent conduct problems in childhood and adolescence rely on screening systems to identify high-risk individuals. This study examines the proximal usefulness of a multiple-gating approach to screening, using teacher and parent ratings in a 2-step procedure with a sample of 382 kindergarten children. The study explored differences in the accuracy of the 2 steps of screening information and whether parents' reports of parenting practices augments the prediction of negative outcomes. The 2-step screening system was found to effectively predict negative behavior outcomes over 1 year later, although some false-positive and false-negative predictions were evident. The Parenting Practices Screen did not substantially add to prediction accuracy. The discussion emphasizes the potential contributions and problems of using screening measures.

Aggression, social acceptance, and race as predictors of negative adolescent outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined a mixed-race, longitudinal sample of 114 boys to assess the relative power of aggression, low peer acceptance, and race in predicting a broad range of adolescent outcomes and behaviors. METHOD: Outcomes were assessed through self-report and through peer, teacher, and independent observer ratings. RESULTS: Results indicate that preadolescent levels of aggression are predictive of boys' subsequent adolescent involvement in marijuana, drugs, and alcohol and in delinquent activity. Aggression and low peer acceptance served as predictors of teacher, peer, and independent observer ratings of externalizing and internalizing behavior at follow-up. Results also indicate that peer ratings of social acceptance and of aggressive behavior operate differently across racial groups, when predicting to self-reported follow-up behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive and socially disliked boys are at risk for engaging in a progressive series of behaviors that increase their engagement in contranormative behavior. The moderating effects of race may be due to biases in elementary school peer ratings in mixed-race samples, or they may represent actual differences in how early risk markers operate with boys of different racial status.

Social-cognitive processes of severely violent, moderately aggressive, and nonaggressive boys.

This study examined social-cognitive processes of aggressive and nonaggressive boys at preadolescent and early adolescent age levels. The social-cognitive variables included processing of cues, attributions, social problem solving, affect labeling, outcome expectations, and perceived competence and self-worth. Results indicated that a wide range of social-cognitive processes is distorted and deficient for violent and moderately aggressive children, and that different types of social cognition contribute unique variance in discriminating among groups. Severely violent boys at both age levels had difficulties with cue recall, attributions, social problem solving, general self-worth, and a pattern of endorsing unusually positive affects that they may experience in different settings. Moderately aggressive boys shared some of the social-cognitive difficulties demonstrated by severely violent boys, but they also displayed indications that their aggression may be more planfully aimed to achieve expected outcomes. When the moderately aggressive and the violent boys differed from the nonaggressive boys on attributional biases and low perceived self-worth, a continuum existed with violent boys displaying more extreme social-cognitive dysfunctions than the moderately aggressive boys. These findings carry implications for cognitive-behavioral intervention with severely violent and moderately aggressive youths.

Effectiveness of a social relations intervention program for aggressive and nonaggressive, rejected children.

A sample of 52 Black aggressive, rejected and nonaggressive, rejected children were randomly assigned to receive a social relations intervention or to be in a nonintervention control group. The school-based intervention for fourth-grade children focused on positive social skill training and cognitive-behavioral strategies to promote deliberate, nonimpulsive problem solving. At both the post-treatment and the 1-year follow-up assessments, the social relations intervention was found to be effective only with the aggressive, rejected children. Implications for the importance of assessing subtypes of rejected children are discussed.

[Quadrant cyclocryocoagulation. Initial experience]. / Kvadrantová cyklokryokoagulace. Nase první zkusenosti.

The authors describe a modification of cycloccryocoagulation /CCC/ they used in the treatment of different types of glaucoma in a group of 320 eyes. Cryodestruction of the ciliary body was implemented with a probe at a temperature of -60 degrees C for a period of 2 x 20sec. in two points of opposite qaudrants, using a transconjunctival approach. The probe was applied at a distance of 3 mm from the limbus. Following a period of 12 months to 3 years after operation they investigated the intraocular pressure and visual acuity of the treated eyes. They recorded a hypotonic effect comparable to cryocoagulation performed by the classical procedure; the incidence of complications was lower.

Social goals: relationship to adolescent adjustment and to social problem solving.

Examined the relations between adolescent boys' social goals of dominance, revenge, avoidance, and affiliation and (1) self-reported negative adolescent outcomes; (2) subjective sense of self-esteem; and (3) externalizing, internalizing, and prosocial behaviors, as rated by peers and teachers. Results indicated that social goal values were related to diverse aspects of self-, teacher-, and peer-reported social and behavioral functioning, with a consistent association found between a range of delinquent, substance-using, and behavioral difficulties, and endorsement of high goal values for dominance and revenge and low goal values for affiliation. Results also indicated that teacher-identified aggressive boys differed from nonaggressive boys in the value they placed on social goals, with aggressive boys placing a higher value on goals of dominance and revenge, and lower value on goals for affiliation. Finally social goal choice had a clear relation to the social problem-solving differences of aggressive and nonaggressive boys.

Predicting early adolescent disorder from childhood aggression and peer rejection.

Two large cohorts of Black 3rd-grade children from low-income families were followed into early adolescence. Adjustment at the end of the 1st year of middle school was assessed by teacher and parent ratings and by adolescent self-reports. Childhood peer social status predicted parent-reported externalized and internalized disorder and self-reported internalized disorder. Childhood aggression predicted self-reported externalized and internalized disorder and parent-reported externalized disorder. Teacher ratings of school adjustment were predicted by aggression, rejection, and sex of the child. Consensus judgments of poor adjustment were predicted by both aggression and peer rejection, with sex moderating the effect of peer rejection. Both childhood aggression and peer rejection appear to be significant predictors of adolescent disorder, with each making a predictive contribution uniquely its own.